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Conflict in Syria

Updated at:

US strikes two facilities in Syria used by Iran — Pentagon

According to Lloyd Austin, the self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria

© AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

WASHINGTON, October 27. /TASS/. On an order from US President Joe Biden, US forces have conducted strikes on two facilities in Syria reportedly used by Iran, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.

"Today [on October 26], at President Biden’s direction, US military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups," Austin said in a statement, published by the Pentagon’s press service.

According to the defense secretary, “these precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against US personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17.”

Biden directed the action “to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks” and will defend itself, its people, and its interests, the US defense chief added.

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Syria United States Iran Syrian conflict

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China to look for ways of settling Ukrainian crisis jointly with France — Xi

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NATO wants 'hot war' with Russia which may destroy US, Carlson says

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Israel’s operation in Rafah comes as response to attack on border crossing — diplomat

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UAE president congratulates Putin on inauguration

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Putin says Russia had to use force to defend people in Donbass as peaceful means failed

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Australian Navy’s destroyer, helicopter impede Chinese drills in Yellow Sea — top brass

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Press review: Russia flexes nuclear muscle and Israel signals imminent offensive in Gaza

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 7th

Putin may propose candidate for prime minister as early as today — spokesman

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Polish judge asks for political asylum in Belarus

Tomasz Szmydt noted that he currently considers returning to Poland impossible, including due to safety reasons

Diplomats from friendly countries only invited to May 9 parade — Kremlin aide

The heads of structures of the CIS, the Union State of Russia and Belarus, the CSTO, the EAEU, the SCO, "heads of diplomatic missions of friendly states, as well as military attaches from friendly states" have been invited to attend, Yury Ushakov said

Putin’s inauguration kicks off in Kremlin

The main event will be held at the Grand Kremlin Palace but parts of it will take place outside at Cathedral Square where the Kremlin Presidential Regiment will march following the ceremony

US doesn’t plan to adjust nuclear posture due to Russia’s announced drills — official

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Ukrainian counteroffensive unfeasible despite arms promises — Estonian military expert

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Russia ready to engage in equal dialogue on security, strategic stability — Putin

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Russia to defend its security, sovereignty by all means — deputy foreign minister

"The ambassadors’ job is to properly report to their capitals what is happening here [in Moscow]," Sergey Ryabkov noted

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russian air defense forces shot down a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet and 23 unmanned aerial vehicles over the past day

Kremlin aide chides ambassadors that didn’t come to Putin’s inauguration

Such behavior "speaks volumes in and of itself," Yury Ushakov told reporters

Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacks Israeli airbase in Eilat

The news outlet said that on Saturday, the movement launched a missile at Israel’s port of Haifa on the Mediterranean

US not to send troops to Ukraine — Department of State spokesman

Matthew Miller commented on the statement by US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who said that Washington would probably have to deploy its troops to the Ukrainian conflict zone in case of Kiev's defeat

Russia looking into reports about sending of French troops to Ukraine — Kremlin

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops in support of Ukrainian forces in Slavyansk, citing a statement by Stephen Bryen, a former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense

French Foreign Ministry denies France sent troops to Ukraine

Earlier, media reports said that France had sent 1,500 troops to Ukraine, citing a statement by former US Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Stephen Bryen

Putin formally takes office as Russian president for six-year term

After being sworn in, the head of state delivered a speech

China to support peace conference on Ukraine approved by Moscow, Kiev — Xi

Chinese President stressed that China is neither the cause nor a party to the conflict

Chinese President Xi supports Olympic truce initiative for 2024 Summer Games in Paris

Chinese President Xi Jinping is traveling to Europe for the first time in five years and he has scheduled visits to Paris, Belgrade and Budapest upon invitations of the leaders of France, Serbia and Hungary

US concocting latest counter-offensive narrative to justify aid to Kiev — DPR head

Denis Pushilin stressed that Ukraine would not be able to launch a new counteroffensive before 2025

British envoy reiterates London’s course on aiding Kiev will continue — Foreign Office

British Ambassador to Russia Nigel Casey was warned that any British military facilities and vehicles on Ukrainian territory and beyond may become targets in response to Ukrainian strikes, carried out via British-made weapons

Russian embassy slams ‘unacceptable’ Berlin’s decision to ban Russian flag on May 8-9

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FACTBOX: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s biography

Since June 12, 2013, Putin has been the leader of the non-governmental movement All-Russia People’s Front, created at his initiative as a coalition of social and political forces

Draft Israel-Hamas deal envisages release of all hostages

During phase one of the agreement, Hamas undertakes releasing 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of a a large number of Palestinians kept in Israeli prisons and detention centers

China to never forget NATO bombing of Chinese embassy in Belgrade — Xi Jinping

The Chinese leader noted that the China-Serbia friendship, sealed with blood, will remain in the common memory of the Chinese and Serbian peoples

New Russian combat equipment in 2024

Southern neighbors of US to regain stolen lands — Russian Security Council’s secretary

Nikolay Patrushev speculates that country may split into the North and the South again to get back to its original shape

Macron’s aggressive rhetoric baffles even his allies — diplomat

"Very often France’s allies from the UK and Germany, as we understand, try to get clarifications as to what the French leadership means, without getting a direct answer," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Ukraine used at least 37 drones to attack Belgorod Region in past 24 hours

Over 40 buildings were damaged in the Belgorodsky district

UK Ministry of Defense subjected to major cyberattack — Sky News

The report says that hackers breached into payroll systems and got access to personal data of ministry officials, current service personal and veterans, including their names and bank details